A Summer Black Tie Wedding at Old Marylebone Town Hall

Katy and Jay’s elegant summer wedding in London was the perfect blend of timeless style, iconic locations, and unforgettable celebrations. As a London wedding photographer, days like this are always incredibly special to capture; full of beautiful details, stylish moments and genuine emotion. From a luxurious morning at The Landmark Hotel to an incredible evening overlooking Tower Bridge, every part of the day felt effortlessly elegant.

Bridal Preparations at The Landmark Hotel

The morning began at the stunning Landmark Hotel, where Katy spent the early hours getting ready with her bridesmaids and closest family. The atmosphere was relaxed yet full of excitement as the day began with champagne, laughter and music playing softly in the background.

Katy and her bridal party wore beautiful white silk personalised pyjamas (Kate had a feathered silk long robe which was perfect for the photos!), which created the most stylish and cohesive bridal prep moments to photograph. Everything had been styled so thoughtfully; from the elegant Prada shoes waiting nearby, to the brides sleek ponytail hairstyle, and the stunning long-stem red roses for the bridesmaids which added a bold, romantic feel.

As an editorial wedding photographer, these kinds of details are always such a joy to capture. The Landmark created the perfect backdrop for all the moments before the ceremony, from the portraits of Kate, to her with her bridesmaids having champagne and dancing on the bed.

A Walk to Old Marylebone Town Hall

One of the many charms of a London wedding is how effortlessly iconic locations connect together. Just a short walk across the road brought everyone to one of the city’s most famous ceremony venues; Old Marylebone Town Hall.Old Marylebone Town Hall

Katy and Jay chose the beautiful Westminster Room for their ceremony. The biggest of the rooms that The Town Hall has to offer, this elegant space that suited their black tie celebration perfectly. As a Marylebone Town Hall wedding photographer, it’s always such a pleasure to photograph weddings here. (Click here for my full guide of how to book your own wedding at The Old Marylebone Town Hall). The building itself is so iconic, and every ceremony feels both timeless and incredibly special.

Guests were welcomed with a wonderfully personal touch, a bespoke wedding newspaper designed by one of Kate’s sisters. Filled with childhood photos of the bride and groom, little stories and fun facts about their relationship, it was such a thoughtful way to entertain guests before the ceremony began.

A Joyful Ceremony and Confetti Exit

The ceremony itself was filled with warmth, joy and plenty of laughter. Surrounded by their closest family and friends, Katy and Jay exchanged vows in a moment that felt beautifully relaxed and full of love.

Afterwards, everyone gathered outside for one of the most iconic moments of a Marylebone Town Hall wedding — the confetti exit on the famous steps. Guests lined the staircase and showered the newlyweds in confetti as they walked out together as husband and wife. It’s always such a magical moment to photograph, and one that truly captures the excitement of the day.

A few family photographs followed before the celebrations moved on to the next part of the day.

A Classic London Bus Ride

Keeping with the classic London feel of the wedding, guests hopped aboard a traditional double decker Routemaster bus that transported everyone across the city to the reception venue.

The journey itself became part of the celebration, with guests chatting, laughing and enjoying the ride together as they made their way through London, taking in the sights along the way. This is the perfect way to transport all your guests in one place, champagne was passed around, and the atmosphere was relaxed.

Reception at The Ivy at Tower Bridge

The final destination was The Ivy at Tower Bridge, an incredible setting for the wedding breakfast and evening celebrations, with breathtaking views of Tower Bridge just outside.

The space had been styled beautifully, with stunning centrepieces of white peonies and roses decorating each table. The overall look was elegant, romantic and perfectly suited to the black tie theme of the day.

One of the standout details was the beautiful white Lambeth cake, decorated with delicate piping and finished with bright red cherries placed around the tiers. It created such a timeless, editorial look! There was also the most stunning card box I have ever seen, another thoughtful detail that added to the overall styling of the reception space.

The Ivy is a perfect spot for a London wedding reception, if you want a relaxed atmosphere, iconic London views and fantastic food.

A Fun Surprise for Guests

Guests discovered their seating arrangements in a wonderfully fun way. Personalised tambourines had been placed as wedding favours, each one guiding guests to their tables.

Not only were they a brilliant surprise, but they also quickly became the perfect party accessory for the evening ahead. As guests took their seats, the atmosphere in the room began to build. Kate and Jay made their grand entrance, led by a live saxophone player, instantly lifting the energy and setting the tone for the evening.

When the cocktails were poured and the tambourines started shaking, guests cheered and the celebrations truly began.

Speeches, Celebration and a Packed Dancefloor

After heartfelt speeches and an incredible meal, the evening entertainment kicked off in style.

Music was provided by Groovewrk, whose DJ, saxophonist and electric violinist created the most incredible atmosphere. The combination of live musicians and DJ meant the dancefloor was packed from the very first song.

From emotional moments to an unforgettable party, Katy and Jay’s summer black tie wedding was the perfect reflection of their style — elegant, joyful and full of personality.

As a London editorial wedding photographer, these are the kinds of weddings that are such a joy to document — beautiful, stylish celebrations in some of the most iconic locations the city has to offer.

Suppliers:

Venue - Marylebone Town Hall. Reception Venue- The Ivy
Content creator @candidmoments_content
MUA @makeupbykirbie
Hair @timeabreban
Flowers @yokoblooms
Violinist @isobelleaustin
DJ @groovewrkmusic